Making a splash

Madara Uchiha had no intention of winning Shisui, an ANBU serving directly under the Hokage, over to his side just yet. In both strength and prestige, he was still far from being able to rival the Hokage in Shisui's heart. He had asked Shisui such a dangerous question today only to plant a seed called suspicion in his mind.

As a member of the Uchiha Clan, Shisui Uchiha had joined the ANBU, willingly undertaking dangerous, clandestine missions for the village. Yet when he returned, he discovered that his clan had been ostracized and relocated to the village's outskirts. Someone as clever as Shisui could not possibly fail to understand the implications of that move.

Shisui Uchiha was human, not a god. He had feelings, and Madara Uchiha did not believe he could harbor no resentment over this. That was why he had deliberately asked Shisui that question. Shisui's reaction had indeed proved that the matter weighed on him; otherwise, a fighter who was always so calm would never have faltered over a single remark.

The village or the clan—which mattered more?

Uchiha Itachi, what kind of answer do you want from me?

Shisui Uchiha watched Madara Uchiha's retreating back, clenching his fists before letting them relax. Then he looked toward the distant Uchiha Clan compound, surrounded by the other major clans, and the uncertainty in his heart deepened.

Where does my future truly lie? And what is Itachi's answer to that question?

"Oh, right, Shisui. If you're short on little brothers, I have one. His name is Sasuke Uchiha. I might be pretty busy once I graduate from the Ninja Academy, so I'll be counting on you to look after him for me. Teach him the way I taught you. That won't be a problem, will it?"

Just as Shisui was wrestling with the dilemma Madara had raised, Madara Uchiha called out to him from a distance. Hearing Madara ask him to look after his little brother, Shisui could not help smiling. Forget it. Why think so much? There's still plenty of time. Even if the conflict between the village and the clan keeps getting worse, they haven't started fighting yet, have they?

The next day, his mother Mikoto brought Madara Uchiha to the Ninja Academy's entrance ceremony along with a group of children his age. Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had come out of retirement to serve as Hokage again, stood before Madara Uchiha and spoke at length. Looking at the old man who had returned to the position, Madara Uchiha could not help thinking of Hashirama Senju.

Hashirama, can even someone of this caliber become Hokage now?

Ignoring Hiruzen Sarutobi's drivel, Madara Uchiha began his life as a Ninja Academy student.

Thud!

During shuriken class, the other students' shuriken flew wildly and landed on the ground. Madara Uchiha casually flicked his hand, sending his shuriken straight through the bull's-eye with such speed and precision that the Ninja Academy instructor overseeing the new students stared wide-eyed in shock.

Even the instructor himself could not achieve that level of shuriken throwing. In fact, many Chunin probably could not match Madara Uchiha's skill either.

Afraid the instructor might fail to recognize his excellence, Madara Uchiha threw several more shuriken after his first struck the bull's-eye dead center. This time, however, they flew off in all different directions.

"Look out! Itachi, what are you doing?!"

Seeing Madara Uchiha launch shuriken in every direction, the instructor immediately grew alarmed. If one struck a student, they would be in serious trouble. But before he could react, Madara Uchiha threw the last shuriken in his hand.

Madara Uchiha's final shuriken collided in midair with those he had thrown earlier. After a series of ricochets, it passed through the bull's-eye he had already pierced.

"A genius! Itachi, you're a true genius!"

Madara Uchiha's astonishing display left more than just the instructor stunned. Even his classmates were so shocked by his outrageous performance that they could not speak.

When you were a little better than others, they envied you. But when your excellence exceeded anything they could imagine, they held you in awe.

After the shuriken throwing lesson, all of Konoha knew that the Uchiha Clan head's child was a genius.

"Hahaha! That's my son! Itachi, you're simply outstanding!"

With such a gifted child, Uchiha Fugaku naturally shared in the glory. The Uchiha children who had once complained about Madara Uchiha always keeping to himself began treating him as a role model after discovering just how outstanding he was. Even Uchiha Taro and the others took pride in having been taught by him.

Beyond shuriken class, Madara Uchiha utterly dominated his lessons in basic knowledge, ninjutsu, and practical combat, becoming the Ninja Academy's top student. His performance was so exceptional that even the Third Hokage took notice.

"Shisui, are you and Itachi friends? What kind of child is he?"

"Lord Hokage, you mean Itachi?"

Although he belonged to the Hokage's direct command, Shisui Uchiha rarely had the opportunity to be summoned for a private audience. Learning that Lord Hokage had called him in because of Madara Uchiha, Shisui Uchiha let out a deep breath of relief; he had been worried that he might have done something wrong.

"Itachi is a genius, an absolute genius. And beyond his talent, he has an exceptionally mature mind. If I may speak frankly, I believe Uchiha Itachi definitely has the potential to become Hokage."

Though outgoing, Shisui had few friends he could truly confide in, largely because he was so exceptional himself. Madara Uchiha was undoubtedly his closest friend, both a mentor and a companion. Seeing Lord Hokage take an interest in his friend, Shisui began praising Madara Uchiha's potential with something like pride.

"I know he's a genius. What I want to know is how strong his sense of belonging to the village is. With such exceptional ability, could he become a threat to the village once he grows up?"

A cold voice sounded from behind Hiruzen Sarutobi, disregarding the young Shisui's enthusiastic account. Then Danzo appeared before Shisui, one eye covered in bandages. Hiruzen Sarutobi showed no reaction whatsoever. Clearly, the questions Danzo asked were precisely what concerned him as well.

Shisui Uchiha looked at the expressionless Third Hokage and Danzo before him, and his earnest heart slowly grew cold.

"Lord Hokage, Lord Danzo, Uchiha Itachi may possess extraordinary talent for ninjutsu, but he is still only a six-year-old child. He may be more composed than others his age, but in the time I've spent with him, his greatest interests have been ninjutsu and his little brother. He shows no interest whatsoever in anything else. I have observed no dissatisfaction with the village."